Concurrent vs Consecutive Education: Which Teaching Pathway Is Right for You?

Key Highlights of Concurrent vs Consecutive Education

• In concurrent education, you can do your undergraduate degree and your Bachelor of Education together.
• In consecutive education, you do your Bachelor of Education after you finish an undergraduate honours degree.
• In Teacher Education Ontario, both options can help you get teacher certification Ontario from the Ontario College of Teachers.
• The admission requirements are not the same for both. Concurrent education starts after high school. Consecutive education starts after university.
• When the practicum happens, the way the degrees are set, and your teaching subjects can help you choose which is best for you.
• Ontario universities let you pick both types, but each faculty of education has its own rules.

Introduction

If you want to get into the teaching profession in Ontario, you might look at two main options for teacher education: concurrent and consecutive. Both of these can help you get a Bachelor of Education and work in schools later. They just start at different times. One starts right after you finish high school. The other one starts only after you have a university degree. This Concurrent vs Consecutive Education guide breaks down the difference between them in simple words. It will help you choose a way that works best for your goals, your timeline, and what you want to do at university.

Concurrent vs Consecutive Education: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between concurrent and consecutive education lies in the timing of your studies. In concurrent education, you pursue your undergraduate degree and education courses simultaneously, starting right after high school. In contrast, consecutive education requires you to complete your undergraduate degree first before applying to a bachelor of education program. Both pathways prepare you for teaching, but they differ in the sequence of steps, affecting your practicum timing and overall teacher preparation duration.

What Is Concurrent Education?

Concurrent education Ontario is ideal for students who know early on they want to be teachers, as you can apply right after high school. You work on your undergraduate degree and your Bachelor of Education at the same time, blending both studies together. For example, at Queen’s, you can complete both degrees in just five years plus a summer.

A major benefit is gaining early teaching experience, with classroom placements starting soon after your first year. If you prefer a clear, structured path toward teaching and want to start building skills right away, concurrent education in Ontario is a straightforward choice.

What Is Consecutive Education?

Consecutive education in Ontario is pursued after completing an undergraduate honours degree. You first earn your undergraduate degree, then apply for a Bachelor of Education through a faculty of education. This path suits those who decide later to teach or want to focus on a subject like English, Mathematics, or Science before teacher training.

After successfully finishing your BEd and registering, you can work toward certification with the Ontario College of Teachers. The process takes longer, as it involves two stages undergraduate studies followed by teacher education. This two-step approach is the defining feature of consecutive education.

Concurrent vs Consecutive Education Comparison Table

A quick comparison can make this choice easier. The table below shows the biggest differences students usually care about first. It focuses on structure, timing, and teaching placement patterns.

Feature	Concurrent Education	Consecutive Education
Starting point	After high school	After an undergraduate degree
Degree structure	Undergraduate degree + BEd together	Undergraduate degree first, then BEd program
Faculty of education involvement	Starts early	Starts later
Practicum timing	Earlier and spread across years	Mainly after entry to BEd
Best for	Students sure about teaching	Students deciding later

There can be differences in practicum experiences between the two routes. In concurrent programs like Queen’s, teacher candidates begin with non-classroom experiential learning, then move into classroom teaching placement later. That staged approach helps you test the profession early while building confidence over time.

Ontario Universities Offering Teacher Education Programs

Ontario universities have many ways to offer teacher education. Each faculty of education has its own plan for programs, academic calendar, and entry rules. Some schools focus on concurrent programs, but some also give consecutive choices if you already have a degree.

This article brings together details for Queen’s University. Queen’s is a good place to learn about teacher education in Ontario universities. You can see how they set up divisions, teaching subjects, practicums, and plans for certification.

Universities Offering Concurrent Education

Queen’s University offers a concurrent Teacher Education program in Ontario for high school graduates. This pathway allows you to complete an honours undergraduate degree alongside a Bachelor of Education. Throughout your studies, you’ll take education courses, do teaching placements, and later choose your teaching divisions or a specific concentration. The concurrent program provides flexibility and early integration of subject and teacher training.

Key concurrent program options at Queen’s include:

• Honours Bachelor of Arts plus BEd
• Honours Bachelor of Science plus BEd
• Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology plus BEd
• Bachelor of Music plus BEd
• French-entry path through OUAC

This lets you blend subject studies with teacher training from year one.

Universities Offering Consecutive Education

Ontario universities offer consecutive teacher education programs for students who have completed an undergraduate degree. In consecutive education, you first finish your honours degree, then apply for a Bachelor of Education (BEd). While requirements can vary across universities, here are key details based on Queen’s:

• You must have your honours degree before entering the final BEd year, even in concurrent routes.
• For Primary-Junior teaching, specific undergraduate courses are required.
• For Intermediate-Senior teaching, you need two approved teaching subjects.
• A minimum B- average is required before starting the final year.
• Some psychology courses must be completed beforehand.

These points highlight necessary undergraduate preparations.

University Comparison Table

When you compare universities, look beyond the name. Focus on admission requirements, program length, practicum design, and how the academic calendar is structured. Those details affect your daily life as much as the degree title does.

University example from compiled info	Pathway shown	Undergraduate degree options	BEd program timing	Notes
Queen’s University	Concurrent clearly detailed	Arts, Science, Kinesiology, Music, French route	Built into the full degree program	Accelerated 5 years + 1 summer
Other Ontario universities	Not detailed in compiled info	Varies by school	Varies by school	Check each faculty of education directly

Queen’s stands out in the provided information because the route is mapped year by year. That includes early placements, final practicum blocks, track options, and final-year requirements. If you are researching Ontario universities, this kind of detail is exactly what you should look for before applying.

Which Teaching Pathway Is Right for You?

The best choice for you will depend on when you decide you want to join the teaching profession. If you already know in Grade 11 or 12 that you want to teach, a concurrent degree program may be the better way. It lets you start your school experience sooner and offers a more direct path.

But if you are still not sure and want to look at other subjects, or if you decide later on while at university, the consecutive path could work better. Your teacher career Ontario needs to fit your level of readiness, your choice of undergraduate program, and how sure you are that you want to be a teacher.

Choose Concurrent Education If…

A concurrent education program is ideal if you’re certain about teaching and want to start preparing for your career right away. You’ll take education courses alongside your academic studies, which helps keep you motivated and focused. This pathway offers early opportunities to work with children, youth programs, and schools even before your final year, such as at Queen’s. It’s a clear and structured route, especially for those who like organization.

Choose concurrent education if you:

• Are sure you want to teach
• Want to start taking education courses in your first year
• Like the idea of getting two degrees as part of one plan
• Want earlier practicum and experiential learning
• Are ready to pick undergraduate courses to go with your teaching subjects or divisions

Choose Consecutive Education If…

Consecutive education in Ontario is ideal if teaching isn’t your initial plan. You might begin a Bachelor of Arts or another undergraduate program out of interest and later decide you want to teach. This pathway lets you finish your first degree, deepen your subject knowledge, and then apply for teacher training after graduation. Although it may not be the fastest route, it’s perfect for those who change their minds or want flexibility.

Pick consecutive education if you:

• Want to finish your undergraduate program first
• Are still thinking about the job you want
• Want to learn more in your major before you start teacher training
• Would like to try other work before deciding on teaching
• Need extra time before you start studying education

This path is great for students who want to keep their options open.

Student Scenarios and Examples

Think about three students: one has wanted to teach since middle school, another loves Biology but is unsure about jobs, and the third is an international student preparing for Ontario university. All can become teacher candidates, but may choose different pathways.

The first student may benefit from concurrent education for early teaching experience. The second, passionate about a subject, might prefer consecutive education. The third needs guided support before applying.

Examples:

• Grade 12 student who wants school experience quickly may choose concurrent education
• University student interested in History may prefer consecutive education
• Student needing OSSD, OUAC help may require guided support

An alternative practicum offers more community or international experience.

Admission Process: Concurrent vs Consecutive Education Programs

The application process for these two ways is not the same because they start at different times. For concurrent education, you apply when you are still in high school. You do this through university admissions Ontario. It means your OSSD, your Grade 12 classes, and how ready you are for more learning are most important first.

With consecutive programs, you start later. You need to finish university first, then apply to a program where you learn to teach. For both, the admission requirements are important. But for concurrent education, the main focus is on your high school records, and for consecutive, it is on what you have done in university and how ready you are for teaching your subjects.

OSSD and Grade 12 Course Requirements

If you want to enter concurrent education straight from high school, your OSSD and relevant Grade 12 university prep courses are crucial. Queen’s requires the same courses as the Arts and Science stream you select, so your Grade 12 subjects will depend on your chosen pathway. Early planning is key, as requirements for French, Kinesiology, Visual Arts, or Music Education vary. For Music Education, you’ll also need a strong portfolio or audition.

Helpful planning points:

• Match your Grade 12 classes to the university program you want
• Check if your stream has other needs, like French or music
• Work hard and build your grades before you apply
• Start thinking now about what grades and subjects you want to teach

Applying Through OUAC

• For concurrent education at Queen’s, apply through OUAC while still in high school, choosing the correct university and program code (e.g., French, Kinesiology, Bachelor of Music).
• Carefully review the academic calendar and program pages to check prerequisites, stream details, and any extra requirements before submitting your application.
• Consecutive education applications are submitted after completing your undergraduate degree, while concurrent applications are part of the initial university admission process in Ontario.

Tips for Building a Competitive Application (Mention USCA Academy naturally here.)

A competitive application starts with early preparation. While good grades are essential, smart planning is just as important. Select the right courses, set clear goals for university, and aim for an honours degree if you want to teach. Support from a private school like USCA Academy can be invaluable—they’ll help you complete your OSSD, choose Grade 12 courses, prepare for university, and guide you through the OUAC process. This is especially helpful for international families seeking strong academic planning.

You can strengthen your application by:

• Picking Grade 12 courses that match your future degree
• Keeping your grades up in the main subjects
• Asking for help early with OUAC and your program options
• Checking what is needed for language competency or special programs
• Using student services or academic advising before the deadline comes

Career Opportunities After Graduation

After you finish teacher education, a lot of people want to work in Ontario schools. Doing a practicum can help you work with school boards. It is a good way to get experience, meet people, and feel more sure of yourself before you look for jobs.

There is more you can do with education skills than teach in a classroom. You can work in community education, try other placements, or focus on different areas. After you finish your program and sign up for the Certificate of Qualification, you will have more choices for your teacher career Ontario. You can work in schools and in the community too.

Becoming an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)

Yes, you can become an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) through either concurrent or consecutive pathways. Both routes require you to complete an approved Bachelor of Education (BEd) program and meet all registration requirements the order differs, but the goal remains the same.

At Queen’s, once you finish the program, the Director of Education Student Services notifies the Ontario College of Teachers. You then apply for membership with the College to receive your Certificate of Qualification and Registration. Whether you choose concurrent or consecutive education, completing your BEd, practicum, teaching placement, and registration leads you to official OCT status.

Average Teacher Salary in Ontario

• Teacher salaries in Ontario vary based on factors like your education, school board, and experience level. There is no standard pay for all teachers.
• Choosing an accelerated program, such as the one offered at Queen’s, can help you start earning sooner, giving you a head start in your teaching career.
• It’s important to check for recent changes in the Ontario education system and teacher requirements. Always review updates from school boards and universities to find the best fit and ensure you meet all certification needs before choosing your pathway.

Career Paths After a Bachelor of Education

A bachelor of education offers a wide range of career opportunities beyond traditional classroom teaching. It prepares graduates for roles in youth programs, learning support, and various educational settings. At Queen’s, students gain experiential learning in places like museums, early learning centers, parks, and clubs, expanding their understanding of education. The alternative practicum allows for placements outside the typical school system.

Here are some things you can do after getting a bachelor of education:

• Teach in Ontario schools as an Ontario certified teacher
• Work in community-based education roles
• Focus on special education or indigenous teacher education
• Let concentration experiences guide your job choices

Practicums help clarify your educator path.

Conclusion

When you want to be a teacher in Ontario, you need to know the difference between concurrent education and consecutive education. Each way has its own good points. Some students want a path where they learn everything at once. Others may go for a system that follows the usual way of doing things. You should think about your own goals, what you are good at with your studies, and what you want for your career. This will help you pick the best way forward. No matter if you choose concurrent or consecutive education, you will still end up with a good and rewarding job in teaching. If you have questions or want more help, you can always reach out!

Frequently Asked Questions